Elements of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) from Mexico City (CDMX) arrested 2 thieves who invaded an apartment in Tlatelolco in the Cuauhtémoc mayor’s office, after setting it on fire to avoid being taken out.
According to Pablo Vázquez, head of the capital’s SSC, the two men barricaded themselves inside the apartment that they had invaded only a few moments before and they set it on fire so as not to be dispossessed.
During the work to put out the fire and arrest the two thieves, one of the elements was injured by one of the criminals, who were carrying sharp weapons.
Thieves set fire to apartment to avoid being arrested in Tlatelolco
According to the report from the SSC of CDMX, a report was received by radio frequency where the fire was reported in a housing unit located on Ricardo Flores Magón Avenue, in the neighborhood Tlatelolco of the Cuauhtémoc mayor’s office.
Given the report, the police requested support from the emergency services and went to the apartment to evict the invaders; However, the two thieves threatened them with knives, closed the door and set fire to the apartment.
The event was captured on video, where the two thieves are seen on the window ledge of the apartment that they set on fire to avoid being arrested.
At the scene, the probable perpetrators were arrested, 39 and 40 years oldwho struggled with the officers and, after controlling the situation and letting them know their legal rights, were made available to the agent of the Public Ministry who will define your legal situation and carry out the investigations of the case.
Thieves attack police officers with knives and injure one in Tlatelolco
During arrest actions, The two thieves attacked the police with sharp weapons.
Due to the attacks, one of the police officers was taken to a hospital for injuries caused by knives.
Personnel from the “Zorros” Task Force Group arrived at the site and, with appropriate maneuvers, opened the place for the Heroic Fire Department team to enter.
In a coordinated action, with the use of fire extinguishers and hoses, They prevented the flames from spreading to other departmentsThus, after a few minutes, firefighters and police managed to put out the fire.
It should be noted that paramedics who arrived at the scene diagnosed the uniformed man with seven centimeter cutting wound in the right hand and three lacerations to the skullso he was transferred to a hospital for specialized medical care.
What measures is the Secretariat of Citizen Security taking to improve community safety in Mexico City?
Interview Transcript: Time.news Exclusive with Pablo Vázquez, Head of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC), Mexico City
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Pablo. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent incident in Tlatelolco. This situation has certainly drawn a lot of attention. Can you give us a brief overview of what happened?
Pablo Vázquez (PV): Thank you for having me. Indeed, the incident was alarming. Two men invaded an apartment in Tlatelolco, and when the authorities responded to reports of a fire in the unit, the individuals barricaded themselves inside. Instead of surrendering, they set the apartment on fire to avoid being apprehended.
TNE: That’s incredibly reckless—setting a fire to evade arrest. Can you shed some light on the tactics you employed during these types of hostile situations?
PV: Absolutely. The safety of our team and the public is our top priority. Upon receiving the fire report, our officers acted quickly, requesting emergency services for support. It’s a delicate process: we have to assess the danger, communicate effectively, and try to defuse the situation without escalating tensions.
TNE: During the response, one of your officers was injured. How is he doing now, and what measures do you have in place to protect your officers during such high-risk operations?
PV: Yes, one of our officers sustained injuries from an attack by the suspects. I’m pleased to report that he is recovering well. We continually train our personnel in crisis management and self-defense, and we emphasize the importance of teamwork and using non-lethal means of resolution whenever possible.
TNE: The suspects reportedly threatened your officers with knives. What impact does the presence of sharp weapons have on your strategy?
PV: The presence of weapons significantly escalates the risk of violence. It requires us to adjust our approach. We look to establish communication and try to persuade individuals to surrender peacefully. However, our officers are trained to respond swiftly to protect themselves and others if necessary.
TNE: The event was captured on video. How important do you think media coverage is in shaping public perception of these incidents?
PV: Media coverage plays a crucial role. It not only informs the public but also holds us accountable. We welcome transparency, as it allows us to critically evaluate and improve our response strategies. However, it’s essential that the portrayal is balanced and not sensationalized, to avoid creating unnecessary fear in the community.
TNE: Certainly. With incidents like this occurring, what measures is the SSC taking to enhance community safety?
PV: We’re intensifying patrols in high-risk areas and are actively engaging with community leaders to build trust and ensure that citizens feel comfortable reporting suspicious activities. We’re also working on education initiatives aimed at crime prevention, as well as improving our communication systems during emergencies.
TNE: Those are promising steps. As we wrap up, what message would you like to convey to the citizens of Mexico City regarding safety and the work of the SSC?
PV: I want to reassure the citizens that we are committed to their safety. Our officers work tirelessly to protect our neighborhoods, and we urge everyone to stay vigilant and report any suspicious behavior. Together, we can foster a safer community.
TNE: Thank you for your time, Pablo. We appreciate your efforts and insights into this challenging situation.
PV: Thank you for the opportunity to share our work. Let’s continue to keep our communities informed and safe.